“The O.C.” Star Benjamin McKenzie Cast in the New Batman Origin Series on FOX

Benjamin McKenzie is returning to FOX in their upcoming Batman Origins series, “Gotham.”

“‘The O.C.’ star Ben McKenzie has landed the coveted role of a Detective James Gordon in Fox’s highly anticipated [Batman],” E! News reported on Feb. 8. The origin series will focus on a young Jim Gordon, who was played by Gary Oldman in Christopher Nolan’s successful Batman trilogy, and the DC Comics Villain that made Gotham famous.”

After the casting announcement was made, McKenzie took to Twitter where he assured fans that he was taking the role very seriously.

“All I can promise is I will do my best not to screw this up,” he wrote. “Can’t wait to get to work.” Then, on Feb. 12, McKenzie posted a photo of several Batman comics along with the caption, “Got some reading to do.”

After saying goodbye “The O.C.” in 2007, McKenzie appeared on TNT’s “Southland,” which was canceled in May 2013 after a five-season run. In 2011, he voiced Bruce Wayne/Batman in “Batman: Year One,” an animated film. Other films McKenzie has been a part of include “Johnny Got His Gun,” “Every Monday Matters,” “Sin Bin,” “Goodbye World,” and “Decoding Annie Parker.”

“At the 2014 Winter TCA Press Tour, Fox boss Kevin Reilly revealed some juicy details about the series, which he described as an ‘operatic soap’ that will showcase ‘Gotham teetering on the edge,'” E! reported. “Reilly teased that fanboys will see a bunch of familiar faces, including the Penguin, the Joker, Catwoman, and yes, Bruce Wayne.”

“Batman is in it, a young Bruce Wayne,” Reilly confirmed, revealing that the character in “Gotham” will be around the age of 12. “This is all of the classic Batman characters.”

Starring alongside McKenzie are Sean Pertwee, Robin Lord Taylor, Zabryna Guevara, Erin Richards, and Donal Logue. Production is set to begin in New York City in March of 2014, and the series is scheduled to premiere in the 2014-15 television season.

In addition to working on “Gotham,” McKenzie is currently involved in a film project with Jessica Alba and Pierce Brosnan called, “How To Make Love Like An Englishman.”